American Dreamz

So, I focused primarily on gender and the American Dream and how the opportunistic feature of the dream is unequal when concerning genders as there are certain notions embedded into society that place men at a higher ranking of success than women. The issues revolving around this idea is that the success and opportunities of women are hindered by the gender stereotypes that surround aspects of living such as education, occupations, income and more. I learned that men and women share slightly different definitions of the American Dream. In terms of the nature of the American Dream, men responded by saying that it was mostly about acquiring material goods, while women were more likely to say that the Dream was about acquiring spiritual happiness (White & Hanson 84). I found that interesting as I would of also expected a sentiment towards material goods from women, however the spiritual happiness I had expected to have greater numbers by women. More knowledge I encountered on my re...

The American Dream varies from person to person, especially in gender. In the chapter entitled “Whose Dream? Gender and the American Dream” from The American Dream in the 21st Century by Sandra L. Hanson and John Kenneth White, Hanson identifies key social separations between genders that provides insight into the differences between the ideal dreams of the average male and female. Specifically, Hanson analyzes how there is a notable difference in education between men and women, along with variations in the American Dream in general. Hanson mentions how different the educational sphere is for men and women when regarding standardized test scores and the overwhelming absence of women in the scientific field. For instance, Hanson states: “Although young girls do not start out low with achievement in science, early in the high school years, many girls experience the beginning of a departure from science areas typified by enrollment in fewer science courses, lowered achievement, an...

In the modern day it may be a bit more difficult to see the American Dream in action, as often when referring to the dream itself, people typically tend to speak about it in reference to the past, as if it has already came and gone. With this perspective, it seems as if the American Dream had more value and meaning in the past, during times when Americans needed something to hold on to. Yet, in 2017 we witness values of the American Dream, but not necessarily the dream itself in the same light as we would of in 1972. In USC Professor Walter R. Fisher’s “Reaffirmation and Subversion of the American Dream,” two American Dreams are focused upon, being a materialistic dream and a moralistic dream, both claimed to be central towards maintaining an overall dream in the country. The claims made within Fisher’s piece are relevant in modern times, specifically how materialism encourages self-centeredness and how moralistic values feed on our guilt. Materialistic values connote feelings...

The nation as a whole is composed of various ethnicities and cultures yet America has a distinct nature and connotation associated with its individuals. When referring to Americans, the first words that may come to mind are “individualistic,” or “self-centered,” which are both entirely accurate and a distinction that shouldn’t be frowned upon by fellow Americans as that is just simply what the country was raised with. We, as Americans, are inherently individualistic people, a characteristic that was simply meant to be. In Gary Athen’s chapter entitled "American Values and Assumptions," from American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States, different American values are elaborated upon and presented in such a way that explains American behavior. Specifically, Athens discusses values including individualism and time, both of which I can relate to my own life and realize how they have exerted influence. Athens presents individualism as his first value and goes i...

Writing is an activity I’ve always been fond of, however not so as much when it’s required of me. Nonetheless, I believe every writer has aspects to their writing that they could improve upon. In Teresa Thonney’s Teaching the Conventions of Academic Discourse, Thonney focuses on conventions and characteristics of successful academic writing, specifically how those techniques should be taught to better improve the writing of college students. When I was reading this article, I was able to relate what Thonney was describing to the essays I have written or plan to write in the future. Thonney’s speak of academic writing was easy to follow as I write frequently for various assignments and thus found this article applicable to my current life. I liked how Thonney was able to focus on features of writing that are beneficial towards students and improving their writing. When I begin to write an essay or assignment, I will be able to refer back to Thonney’s article and apply the writi...

The course of American history has witnessed rather dull economic times, yet Americans somehow always manage to continue through the economic downfalls. Part of the economic hardships for average American citizens comes from the nature in which the government handles the economy, a manner in which has been geared towards being less beneficial to the poor and more to the rich, a claim presented within Noam Chomsky’s Requiem for the American Dream . Within Chomsky’s text, he claims that solidarity is dangerous for the American economy, being that the wellbeing of America’s poorer individuals is put at risk with this idea as it reinforces a caring nature to everybody within the economic spectrum; yet the opposite is reinforced with the economy, instead the idea that you should care only for yourself and have no sympathy for others is implemented, ultimately afflicting the lower classes as those higher up in the social ladder will have no sympathy towards how their economic actions af...

America has a distinct character that isn’t only engrained in the culture and history of the country, but the society as a whole. American society has been shaped by the ideals and individualistic nature of those who framed it, all contributing to the wealth-driven, dreamer-esque, and relentlessly democratic disposition of the country. However, the notion of democracy has presented itself as an issue throughout the country’s history as it is continuously fought for in an environment that has democracy promised in its foundation. Noam Chomsky introduces the concern for a more democratic society by the people in Requiem for the American Dream , where I found the first principle entitled “Reducing Democracy” an interesting yet challenging feature as it levies the matter of how much democracy to permit to the American people. Democracy is an ideal central to America’s underpinnings and that of the beginnings of other civilizations. A concept so notably fought for centuries and yet is...

America has a multitude of talents and characteristics, which is part of what makes it such a diverse country. Yet, one of America’s most notable talents is that of harboring some of the most argumentative groups of people to date. Argument can be observed on a daily basis in the country, from a day at school to spending time with friends or in the media. Argument comes in all forms, it must not always be considered in a bad manner as it can shed light on some important issues, as in the University of Tennessee English professor Rebecca Jones’s  "Finding the Good Argument OR Why Bother with Logic.” The topic of argument is discussed in Jones’s text to an extent that questions the fundamentals of argument and why it is so easily encountered. Jones highlights a common feature to arguments that serves as a problem towards fostering argument as a good natured debate, being that argument is thought to be strictly in terms of pros and cons. Argument has become so black and white ...

T he American Dream is such a central concept to those living in this country, it resonates with anyone who’s ever had a dream. The undying faith for the betterment of one’s life serves as a constant reminder that nearly anything is attainable as long as you’re willing to give it your all and accept that it most definitely won’t come easy. In “The Making and Persistence of the American Dream,” an introduction to Sandra L. Hanson’s and John Kenneth White’s anthology The American Dream in the 21st Century , the American Dream is analyzed and questioned as to why it is so difficult to achieve, yet still remains so relevant in even the most desperate of times. The section that intrigued me focuses on the American Dream as a myth, explaining how it never dies in a country that has faced so many devastating events. Americans in varying time periods have undergone drastic obstacles towards their dreams and continue to cling to the American Dream as hope for a better future. With event...

The American Dream has been sought after since the mere idea of a “dream” had surfaced. Many take to describing this dream as that of happiness and the belief that every citizen has the ability to transform their life into success and achievement, through perseverance. Throughout American history, the hope for a better life has been pined for by individuals countless times. With the Declaration of Independence to the wealth-driven dreamers of the Roaring 20’s, the American Dream continues to be desired even in the modern world. My personal American Dream lies with the belief that individuals should live almost selfishly, in a world they no longer feel guilty for chasing after what they truly want. People are too often shamed for wanting such grand lives for themselves, or for harboring huge dreams that may never be reached. Others may put down self-oriented dreamers and consider them to be unrealistic for wanting something so selfishly and egotistical for wanting somet...